Mint Man

Trained by P J F Murphy at Castlecomer in County Kilkenny, Mint Man broke his duck on the track at Dundalk in December 2024, and has since added two more wins, most recently at The Curragh four weeks ago. His last six races tell a pattern of near-misses and competitive efforts — a thirteenth, a nineteenth, a win, then a third and an eighth — the kind of form that suggests he is running in races where he belongs, even if he is not winning them often. He was back out just yesterday, which means this is a horse actively campaigned and regularly given the chance to do his job.

What stands out is that despite being partnered with jockey Luke McAteer on seven occasions, the pair have yet to find their way into the winner's enclosure together. That is worth noting only because it highlights how much racing can come down to the small details — the horse finds his moments, but not necessarily with that particular rider. Mint Man is the kind of horse that keeps smaller racing yards like Murphy's competitive and engaged through the season, mixing the occasional triumph with the steady flow of places that add up over time. He is no star, but he is genuine.